Araghchi, a former nuclear negotiator, made the remarks in a television interview on Friday, two days after he won a vote of confidence from the parliament as the new Iranian foreign minister.

“Our foreign policy will be active and not passive. We’ll try to be present on international forums. If a new order is being formed, we should not be passive. We must play a role for our own interests, for the region and the Islamic world,” the foreign minister said.

Araghchi said that Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei emphasized two missions: “The first mission is to neutralize sanctions, which the whole government should follow. Our first goal is to neutralize the sanctions and its impacts on the people.”

The new Iranian foreign minister added, “Our first priority is our neighbors. Our second priority is to expand the field of diplomacy to Africa and East Asia. The third priority is the countries that stood by Iran in difficult situations.”

In a telephone call with the European Union’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Thursday, Araghchi also exchanged views on negotiations to lift sanctions against Iran.

Earlier, Araghchi announced Iran’s willingness to manage tensions with the United States and restore relations with European countries, provided that they stop their hostility towards the Islamic Republic.

He explained that as a crucial step toward removing sanctions on Iran’s economy and normalizing its trade with the international community, the Foreign Ministry will seek to manage tensions with Washington and rebuild ties with European states, but only if they abandon their “hostile approach” while aiming to revive the 2015 nuclear deal and lift the bans.